The 27th annual Major League Soccer All-Star game is almost ready to begin.
After an intense skills competition on Tuesday night, the MLS All-Stars will face Premier League powerhouse Arsenal (8:30 pm ET) at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The league’s top players aim to win the midseason showcase for the third consecutive season and defeat a European giant for the first time since 2015.
Watch the MLS All-Star Game on Apple TV and the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
MLS All-Stars vs. Arsenal, MLS All-Star Game, Audi Field in Washington, DC:
The 27th Major League Soccer All-Star Game brings together the league’s top players on Wednesday night.
The MLS All-Stars will face Arsenal FC for the second time, following Arsenal’s victory in the 2016 match at Avaya Stadium in San Jose.
No Messi…but plenty of firepower
Due to his recent move to Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is ineligible to participate in any All-Star Game festivities. However, many of the league’s brightest stars will be present at Audi Field, home to DC United.
Hany Mukhtar of Nashville, the league’s top scorer with 13 goals, and Carles Gil of New England Revolution, with 12 assists, will both play. Jesus Ferreira, who has had an outstanding season at FC Dallas and performed well for the United States national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, was also selected.
Other notable players include Thiago Almada of Atlanta United, Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati, and Kei Kamara of Chicago Fire, who is the third-highest goalscorer in MLS history.
Arsenal getting set for new season
After narrowly missing out on their first league title in 20 years, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have made significant investments to improve this summer, aiming to challenge treble winners Manchester City in 2024.
The Gunners have acquired Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber, spending over $200 million. All three players have joined the team for their United States tour and may feature in Wednesday night’s match.
USMNT fans will be most interested in the potential participation of forward Folarin Balogun, who recently pledged his commitment to the Stars and Stripes. Balogun scored the second goal in the 2-0 CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada in June.
